A Realist Conception of Truth
One of the most important Anglo-American philosophers of our time here joins the current philosophical debate about the nature of truth. William P. Alston formulates and defends a realist conception of truth, which he calls alethic realism (from "aletheia," Greek for truth). This idea holds that the truth value of a statement (belief or proposition) depends on whether what the statement is about is as the statement says it is. Michael Dummett and Hilary Putnam are two of the prominent and...
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One of the most important Anglo-American philosophers of our time here joins the current philosophical debate about the nature of truth with a work likely to claim a place at the very center of the contemporary philosophical literature on the subject. William P. Alston formulates and defends a realist conception of truth, which he calls alethic realism (from "aletheia," Greek for "truth"). This idea holds that the truth value of a statement (belief or proposition) depends on whether what the statement is about is as the statement says it is. Although this concept may seem quite obvious, Alston says, many thinkers hold views incompatible with it - and much of his book is devoted to a powerful critique of those views. Michael Dummett and Hilary Putnam are two of the prominent and widely influential contemporary philosophers whose anti-realist ideas he attacks. Alston discusses different realist accounts of truth, examining what they do and do not imply. He distinguishes his version, which he characterizes as "minimalist," from various "deflationary" accounts, all of which deny that asserting the truth of a proposition attributes a property of truth to it. He also examines alethic realism in relation to a variety of metaphysical realisms. Finally, Alston argues for the importance - theoretical and practical - of assessing the truth value of statements, beliefs, and propositions.
PrefaceIntroduction11Alethic Realism52Alethic Realism and Metaphysical Realism653An Epistemological Objection to Alethic Realism854Dummett's Verificationist Alternative to Alethic Realism1035Putnam's Model-Theoretic Argument1326Putnam on "Conceptual Relativity"1627Epistemic Conceptions of Truth1888Doing without Truth231Epilogue262Bibliography265Index269
\ From the Publisher"The most conceptually discriminating treatment of alethic realism available and a major contribution to the philosophical investigation of truth. This book will save many philosophers from the multitude of confusions in current philosophical literature on truth."-Paul K. Moser, Loyola University of Chicago"Easily the most penetrating and comprehensive analysis and critique of anti-realist theories of truth available, along with a vigorous defense of the realist account. With the publication of William Alston's book, the common dismissal of the correspondence theory of truth as outmoded has itself become outmoded!"-Nicholas Wolterstorff, Yale Divinity School\ "From the standpoint of both general readers and professionals in the field this may be one of the best philosophical books to come along in some time. . . . The depth, the scope, and the clarity of Alston's analysis is matched only by that of the great philosophers with whom he contends. Highest recommendation for all collections."-Choice\ "Much in this book deserves agreement and applause; it is argued with care, subtlety, and good sense. "-The Journal of Philosophy\ "Alston's book makes a distinguished contribution to thought about truth, both in its positive proposal and in its sustained criticism of epistemic conceptions. . . . His book is mandatory reading for anyone with even a slight interest in truth."-The Philosophical Review\ "This excellent, ludidly written study contains many valuable insights."-Erkenntnis\ \ \
